People that don't get a C/O for their rental probably haven't given their tenant a Truth In Renting booklet either and if so are in trouble with the state as well as the town.

You can find it here: http://www.state.nj.us/dca/codes/lt/pdf/t_i_r.pdf (Landlords should read it 3 times)

Not only can you get fined if you don't get a C/O, in some towns you can't even evict a tenant if you haven't registered your property with the town as a rental. The Landlord Tenant court may not accept it. This may vary by county. C/Os vary by town. Don't become a landlord unless you know what laws apply. How about Lead Based Paint addendum to the rental agreement if the house was built before 1978.

The other answers you received here are good (except for the one from Peter Rogers).

I can tell you - if you think you can fight with the town and win you are likely to be disappointed.

Paul Howard

Good Point Stressed Buyer - if you are the tenant, then talk to the landlord - if you are the landlord, get it down. Either way, whether required by the town or not, the process of checking to be sure the requisite fire, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are functioning is the right thing to do.

Best,
Jeannie Feenick
http://www.feenick.com

Some communities don't even require one. Check with the town. In either case, it's the landlord's responsibility, not the tenant's.

Joan Prout, MBA
Broker Associate
RE/MAX Villa REALTORS
306 Grove Street
Jersey City, NJ 07302
201-946-2700 x310
800-671-0596 x1 (direct)
Joan@JoanProut.com

Get the CO - then you can rest easy.

fess up and beg forgiveness. You are not the only one to do so. It goes a lot easier if you turn yourself in rather than your tenant (or worse yet if you ahave a fire or accident that would have been prevented.) Inspectors want safe homes.

Also, as a note to Peter. This does vary by town.

In some towns if you have a single family home that you are renting out and you are the owner.. yes you have to go and get a new Fire CO and such, not just single family.. anything you rent will have to be certified safe for the occupants.

Don't be stressed! Just order the CO. Get the inspection and do what is necessary. It is in the best interest of both landlord and tenant to have the CO.

Well the certificate is issued when the property changes hands after an inspection by the town building inspector. So if you have rented a single family home owned by you then it does not come into play. However if you have rented an appartment in what is zoned as a single family home then you do have a problem

Usually a fine.

You would have to pay a fine and get the CCO.

John Sacktig
Broker / Manager
Orange Key Realty

732-863-6969